Spark a fire for gun reform: 4 things you can do to stop gun violence

Days like yesterday, I just want to burn shit down.

I, like so many, woke up to news about dozens dead and hundreds injured after an angry man opened fire on a sea of strangers in Las Vegas. And then I went through what many of us have experienced so often before: Shock. Anger. Sadness. Frustration.

The terror, then grief, thrust upon hundreds is absolutely needless—and preventable. That’s why I am so furious: Because events like those in Las Vegas (and Orlando, and Sandy Hook, and San Bernadino, and Aurora, and many more) are predictable. They will keep happening—unless we as a country do something about it.

Inspirational quote: You can't start a fire without a spark. Actions to take to end gun violence. Ten Thousand Hour Mama

Action, not words to stop gun violence

The predictable rhythm of a horror like the Las Vegas shooting goes like this: Shooting. Shock. Prayers and thoughts to the survivors and the victims’ families. Temporary outrage. Then—back to the status quo.

But what our country needs is action, not condolences and prayers. We need gun reform. We need lawmakers who will protect citizens through common sense restrictions on assault rifles and rapid-fire weapons. We need to stop pretending to be shocked at each new atrocity because mass shootings have been happening for years—and they will continue to happen until we make real changes.

What you can do to stop gun violence

Yes, I feel as if I’m burning up inside, and I want to set fire to everything and everyone complicit in these senseless acts of violence. I won’t pretend that anger away because it is justified.

Instead of smoldering inside, though, I’m taking action—and I hope you will, too. Fight helplessness. Make your voice heard. Help create a wildfire of change that sweeps across our nation. You can:

  1. Sign this petition, which will be delivered to members of Congress, to take steps to make our country safer.
  2. Take any of these 33 actions to push sensible gun reform.
  3. Talk to other parents about gun safety. (This article from PDX Parent outlines how to talk about weapons in your kids’ friends’ houses and other gun safety issues.)
  4. Join your local chapter of Moms Demand Action. The nonprofit group strives for something we can all get behind: a future free of gun violence.

It’s easy to fall into a hole of hopelessness—I know I’ve been there. But turn your grief, rage and frustration into a spark that changes our country—and makes it a safer place for us all.

10 thoughts on “Spark a fire for gun reform: 4 things you can do to stop gun violence

  • October 3, 2017 at 5:19 pm
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    As always, you provide us with easily actionable things to do immediately to make a difference. Thank you for this breath of hope in dark times.

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    • October 3, 2017 at 8:17 pm
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      We need all the light we can get these days.

      Reply
  • October 3, 2017 at 6:03 pm
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    THANK YOU for writing this. I’m feeling so hopeless, so I very much welcome this guidance!

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    • October 3, 2017 at 8:17 pm
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      I hope it helps—and inspires some action steps!

      Reply
  • October 4, 2017 at 1:21 pm
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    Thank you for providing these opportunities for action and resources. It’s all too easy for a lot of people to feel helpless/angry/frustrated these days, but there is always something we can do.
    Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife recently posted…2017 Toyota Highlander HybridMy Profile

    Reply
  • October 9, 2017 at 4:41 pm
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    This is such an important topic and one that is most debated. I hope that with more words and community involvement that more people will speak up.

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  • November 16, 2017 at 6:17 am
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    It is refreshing to finally see a post that not only expresses a strong opinion of gun reform, but proceeds to urge people to actually do something about the gun reform movement.

    I especially love the fact that the author appreciates that people believe that gun reform should happen, but that the citizens are not doing enough to actually make these changes happen.

    Also, it is a good reminder that people are still losing their lives when gun owners decide to unleash fire on innocent citizens. Truly, this should change.

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    • November 16, 2017 at 9:32 am
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      Richard, thank you for your comment. I think that a lot of people feel strongly that something should be done about the horrendous fact of gun violence in the US yet don’t do anything because they feel lost as to what they should do. I hope that ideas like these inspire some action.

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  • January 8, 2018 at 3:12 am
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    Hey Catherine,

    Great post! I strongly agree, everyone should take action and let everyone’s voice be heard. Safety of every single citizen should always be a government’s priority. I remember a conversation with a friend regarding the mass shooting in Las Vegas, he said, “Don’t they know about shooting ranges?” He said that if this was because of outrage and anger, why don’t they go to shooting ranges not just shoot innocent people trying to live their lives? It was supposed to be funny but nobody laughed because the news was really sad.

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    • January 8, 2018 at 2:07 pm
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      Thanks for reading! And yes—if governmental policies aren’t keeping people safe while respecting citizens’ rights, they should be reevaluated.

      Reply

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